RCS honors Mitchell with Humanitarian Award

ASHEBORO — Lauded as someone who leads with empathy and works of kindness, Elizabeth Mitchell was presented the Humanitarian Award by Regional Consolidated Services (RCS).

The honor came during the RCS annual meeting on Nov. 18 at AVS Banquet Centre. RCS Executive Director Kristal Rinehart presented the award to Mitchell, saying, “I’ve learned so much from this lady. I’ve been blessed that our paths have crossed.”

Mitchell retired in 2024 after 21 years as executive director of the United Way of Randolph County. The native of Scotland had moved to Asheboro from Chapel Hill to accept the job.

Rinehart credited Mitchell with ensuring service to more than 151,000 people during her time at United Way, which supports nonprofits in the county.

Showing her surprise at the award, Mitchell said, “This is very special. I can’t tell you how much it means to me.” Despite being retired, she said, “I’m still part of the community. You adopted me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Interestingly, Mitchell’s successor at United Way, Samantha Baker, gave a presentation on what the agency does. “We raise and allocate funds for our community partners, support nonprofits and advocate on behalf of Randolph County,” she said. United Way goals are to enhance a healthy community, financial stability, youth opportunities and emergency preparedness.

The acronym ALICE, Baker said, stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. It represents a household with full-time jobs whose “income doesn’t keep pace with the cost of living.”

Shockingly, statistics show that 49 percent of Randolph County households fall into the ALICE category. Baker said she and her husband found that after they had children they didn’t make enough to support their lifestyle.

The first thing they did, she said, was drop their health insurance. Then she quit her job to stay home with the children to avoid childcare.

Finally, Baker went to United Way to find resources to help them. She said people in need can dial 211 to find resources and figure out solutions to their problems.

“United Way is the best first stop,” she said.  “If you don’t support United Way, the programs (associated with United Way) will go away.”

Regional Consolidated Services was founded April 4, 1979, by Janice Scarborough. It’s a human services agency serving Randolph and Alamance counties in administering Head Start, Early Head Start and Home Care.

During 2024-25, RCS served 361 children in the Head Start programs and 122 adults with 7,293 hours in Home Care. RCS also spent more than $17,000 in home improvements.

The total budget for RCS for the year was $6,851,848, according to Rinehart. The agency employs 87, including one part-timer.